I’m a big-time microneedling fan because the treatments have made noticeable improvements to my skin. I have large pores, redness, and some dark spots (because I can’t stop myself from picking a pimple. Awful, I know.), and in-office microneedling addressed all of these concerns. The microneedles injure the skin, which spurs cell turnover as well as collagen and elastin production. After two days, my skin is gleaming and soft. Then, after a few months, the surface of my skin is smoother. It’s the ultimate confidence booster. The downsides: post-procedure redness and, the biggest hurdle for me, a hefty price tag of $500 per session (and pros recommend multiple).
But what if a skincare product could stimulate the skin like needles do? That’s the idea behind Dr. Brandt’s new Dermal Micro Points Collagen Boosting Gel, a serum that replicates the benefits of professional microneedling at home. I’ve tested this formula for three weeks, and I can confidently say it’s a game-changer for improving skin appearance. Read all about it, ahead.
How It Works
This serum contains spicules, microscopic needle-like structures derived from freshwater sponges. As you rub them across your skin, they create millions of teeny, tiny holes—or what the brand describes as microchannels—to help boost circulation, promote collagen production, and maximize the absorption of skincare. The eventual result: smoother skin texture, improved firmness, and a more even tone. This technology is buzzing in South Korea and slowly making its way to the States, but Dr. Brandt is one of the first to recreate it here and combine it with other active ingredients to enhance results.
Besides spicules, the gel contains peptides to target lines and wrinkles as well as aminobutyric acid, an amino acid that activates the receptors in the skin to support elasticity, collagen production, and hydration. Start using the serum once a week and increase frequency to every other day as tolerated. This nighttime treatment should be applied to a clean face before bed and followed by a soothing moisturizer. Make sure to skip the actives, like exfoliating acids and retinoids, on the nights you use this serum to avoid irritation.
Beauty editor Genesis Rivas completely bare-faced after using the Dr. Brandt Micro Points Collagen Boosting Gel for three weeks.
My Review
The craziest thing about this formula is that you really feel it doing something. The brand warns that tingling, redness, and itchiness are possible and normal reactions. I hate being uncomfortable, and very much appreciate that in-office microneedling treatments apply a topical numbing cream before the needles come out, so I was nervous that this was going to hurt. But I only felt a prickly sensation as I worked the serum into my skin. The feeling went away as soon as I stopped touching my face. On the discomfort scale, I’d rate it a four out of 10.
If you have very sensitive skin or a low pain tolerance, I recommend doing a patch test on a small area of your face to ensure your skin can handle it. After applying it, follow up with a hydrating serum and/or a moisturizer. I like to use a cushion-y barrier cream, which feels especially soothing after all the tingles. After doing this routine every other night (I alternate it with my retinol) for three weeks, I’ve noticed small but mighty improvements in my skin: my large pores and a few stubborn dark spots are becoming less apparent.
In the morning, after using the gel the night before, my skin looks perkier and healthier overall. Do I think this will replace my pro microneedling treatments? Nope, because ultimately no topical skincare will offer the results of an in-office procedure, but now I can extend the time between appointments. If you, like me, are always searching for your glowiest, most even skin, this gel is worth every penny.
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Genesis Rivas is the Beauty Editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers hair, makeup, skin, nails, and more. Before joining the Oprah Daily team, she wrote for several publications, including InStyle, Real Simple, and Shape. When she’s not testing, researching, and writing fun and educational beauty content, you can find her dancing and eating her way through New York City. Follow her on Instagram or TikTok